Surgical treatment of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint with erosion of the skull base: a case report and review of the literature.

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is a rare metaplastic disease of the larger joints. It is rarely observed in smaller joints, especially in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This disease is considered to be metaplastic and shows no malignant tendencies, but can become locally aggressive, erode the cranial base, and even spread intracranially. To date, nine cases of spread into the intracranial space have been reported in the literature; however, the disease remained extradural in all cases. The authors present a review of the literature and report the case of a 70-year-old man with SC of the right TMJ that had eroded the cranial base, reaching the dura mater; a large intracranial mass was not present. The disease was considered to be stage 3 according to Milgram's classification. The patient was treated surgically, the tumour mass was removed, reconstruction of the cranial base was performed using titanium mesh, and the joint was reconstructed with a temporal muscle interposition flap. Diagnostic images and intraoperative photographs are also presented.

Surgical treatment of macroglossia caused by systemic primary amyloidosis.

Amyloidosis is a heterogeneous group of disorders caused by the extracellular deposition of a fibrillar protein called amyloid. Amyloid involvement of the tongue is almost universally secondary to systemic disease. The clinical manifestations result from the progressive extracellular deposition of amyloid within the suprahyoid muscles. In the late stages, the progressive enlargement of the tongue causes hypo- and oropharyngeal blockage, with obstruction of the upper airways. Conservative excision is a satisfactory treatment for local amyloid masses; the role of surgery in systemic forms is controversial. The authors present a case of systemic primary amyloidosis of the tongue treated surgically by a partial glossectomy via a pull-through approach and discuss the indications and rationale for surgical intervention.

Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion: feasibility of not releasing the nasal septum.

Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) is commonly used to correct maxillary transverse deficiency. The aim of this study was to analyse the need for intraoperative liberation of the nasal septum during the procedure. SARME was performed in 25 patients by combining a lateral osteotomy with an inter-radicular maxillary osteotomy. The deviation of the nasal septum after SARME was evaluated by comparing measurements between radiologically defined landmarks on pre- and postoperative computed tomographic images. Two defined angles (angle I, between crista galli-symphysis mandibulae and crista galli-septum nasi; angle II, between maxillary plane and septum nasi) were measured based on four representative planes and septal movement was analysed. The mean changes in angles I (0.03° ± 0.78°) and II (0.25° ± 1.04°) did not differ significantly from zero (p=0.87 and p=0.24, respectively). Observed variations and displacements were considered to be acceptable because they were insignificant in every respect. Intranasal airway function was also examined pre- and postoperatively to evaluate any loss of ventilation. The described surgical technique is a successful method of maxillary segment distraction. The authors found no compelling reason to release the nasal septum in the context of SARME.

Trans-tragal incision for improved exposure of diacapitular and condylar neck fractures.

The authors present a modification of the preauricular approach that improves the exposure of the condyle whilst reducing diacapitular and condylar neck fractures. The incision is a combination of the hockey-stick and endaural incisions. Its inferior part runs within the ear on the posterior face of the tragus; the tragal cartilage is transected together with the retrotragal skin and included in the anterior skin flap. Between May 2009 and December 2010, 16 patients with diacapitular or condylar neck fractures were treated with this approach. All patients showed good occlusion postoperatively and satisfactory aesthetic results. No infection or cartilage necrosis was observed in this series. This approach improves the exposure of the condylar head during the reduction of diacapitular and condylar neck fractures, ensuring easier internal fixation and good cosmetic results.